A significant minority of consumers find gluten-free products very appealing. According to the European Food Safety Authority, around 0.7 % of the EU populationCeliac disease is a common condition. According to Celiac UK, approximately 1 in 300 people in the UK have the condition.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by an allergic reaction to foods such as wheat, rye, and barley. Symptoms of celiac disease include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, and infertility.
People with celiac disease are therefore very interested in gluten-free foods. Even after years of A stagnation of apparent typeThe gluten-free section In full swingSales of gluten-free products are steadily increasing. By 2032, the market value will double (currently $6.7 billion).
Many consumers are still unhappy with gluten-free foods. People on a gluten-free diet in the UK face higher costs than those on a gluten-free diet.
How much do gluten-free foods cost?
UK Debt Expert reports that British consumers who follow a gluten-free diet pay 37% more than those who follow a gluten-containing diet. According to the study, the average consumer spends 13.55 more per week on groceries.
The company compared 25 shopping trips across major UK supermarkets.
Gluten-free items are often smaller, although they are more expensive. According to the study, a 600g Sainsbury's loaf costs £1.65, but a 400g gluten-free loaf costs £3.70. A 195g garlic loaf costs £1, and its gluten-free counterpart costs £2.
The study found that despite the increase in demand for free-from products (which included dairy-free and nut-free products), supermarket shelves still offered a much smaller selection than that available to people without special dietary needs.
Gluten-free wheat flour
There is an alternative to the flours used in many gluten-free products. Gluten-free wheat flourBread Free, a Spanish startup that uses biotechnology to remove gluten from wheat flour, has developed a gluten-free version of the product.
This year, Coeliac UK conducted a study to determine the price of gluten-free food in the UK. You can find out more by clicking hereA gluten-free loaf costs on average 4.5 times more than a loaf containing gluten. The cheapest gluten-free loaf is also 6.1 times cheaper.
Additionally, 4 % of respondents consumed gluten because of the cost, even though it could be harmful to their health.
What makes gluten-free foods so expensive?
The cost of gluten-free foods is directly related to the amount of resources required to manufacture them. These products are made from rarer flours such as almond or coconut flour.
The possibility of contamination by allergens cannot be excluded.
One might assume that the "free-from" label is an absolute guarantee of safety against allergens. Jennifer Elegbede is Global Head of Food and Health Applications for ingredient supplier Lycored. This is not trueShe told FoodNavigator that if the food chain is not vertically integrated within an organization, it is impossible to know for sure whether products are allergen-free.
Maxine McCreadie is a personal finance specialist at UK Debt Expert. She told FoodNavigator that while demand for gluten-free alternatives has increased in recent years, it is not as high as for their "standard" counterparts. This means manufacturers and retailers are unable to take advantage of economies of scale.
The economic principle of economies of scale states that the more you produce, the less it costs per unit. Gluten-free products are a niche product and therefore have obvious disadvantages.
The cost of living is rising, and this problem is worsening. The government could reduce costs by addressing supply chain issues and supporting local gluten-free production. Supermarkets also need to be aware of the challenges faced by their customers with food intolerances. McCreadie said everyone should be able to meet their nutritional needs without significant financial hardship.
The celiac disease report states that the cost of gluten testing, as well as the quantity and segregation in the supply chain, played a significant role.
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